The Puppet Villainess’s Splendid Rebellion - Chapter 85

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 85

I approached Countess Harper.

“Lady, you don’t look well. Are you alright?”

The Countess, who had been coughing, looked up with a surprised expression.

“Oh, Your Highness…. I’m fine. Please don’t worry about me.”

“You don’t look fine to me.”

I said quietly as I sat down next to the Lady.

“…To be honest, just a little.”

The Lady smiled weakly.

“I can breathe easier now than when I got out of the carriage. Usually after traveling this distance, I have to lie down for several days.”

The Lady’s voice trembled briefly.

“Was it difficult to obtain Jeongjesa?”

“Well.”

At my question, Countess Harper glanced around cautiously. She opened and closed her mouth several times repeatedly.

‘Ah.’

Because I’m a princess, she feels burdened talking about Imperial matters.

“It’s okay, speak comfortably. Today I came here as a member of House of Carter, Duke to entertain guests.”

“But how could I….”

“The supply coming down from the Imperial Family is insufficient, right?”

At my question, Countess Harper nodded slightly.

“The supply has drastically decreased since a few months ago. There’s hardly any amount reaching provincial nobles like us.”

Her expression was bitter.

It was as expected. With symptoms this severe, it was similar to when Carlos could barely obtain any Jeongjesa.

“Still, as Your Highness said, the air here is really good. When I heard from my daughter and husband, I was skeptical.”

Then, a noblewoman who had been listening to the conversation nearby cautiously interjected.

“Um, Your Highness. If it’s not rude, may I ask something?”

“Yes, please speak.”

“There’s a rumor that the House of the Duke has created a substance to counter the Imperial Family’s Jeongjesa….”

The noblewoman paused and watched my reaction.

“Is it true by any chance?”

The surroundings became quiet. Hands eating refreshments stopped, and mouths that were chattering closed. Everyone was listening intently. It seemed this story wasn’t only of interest to this noblewoman.

‘Ah, right. This story had to come up.’

I smiled inwardly.

“The rumor has already spread everywhere.”

I took out a small stone from my bosom. A transparent stone with a subtle glow. When I placed it on my palm, it sparkled brilliantly in the sunlight.

“Actually, I only found out recently too. The Duke told me directly.”

The ladies’ gazes all focused on the crystal in my hand.

“This is…?”

“Yes. This is the new Jeongjesa created by the House of the Duke. The reason the magical energy in the Ducal Palace is so thin is all thanks to this. We’ve placed them throughout the domain.”

A stir spread like waves. The ladies looked at each other and whispered. Their expressions mixed surprise and anticipation. Several stood up and came closer.

“My goodness.”

“Then does it have the same effect as the Imperial ones?”

“Where can we get it?”

Questions poured out. The earlier cautiousness was nowhere to be found. Everyone stepped closer trying to get a look at the Jeongjesa.

“I don’t know the manufacturing method in detail either.”

I raised my hand to stop the barrage of questions.

“However, the Duke said it will be distributed through trading companies soon. So please wait just a little longer.”

Quiet gasps could be heard among the noblewomen and young ladies. They looked at each other’s faces and exchanged glances.

After observing that scene for a moment, I held out the Jeongjesa in my hand to Countess Harper.

“I’ll give this to you, Lady.”

“What? But Your Highness, how could I accept such a precious thing….”

“But you need it more, Lady.”

I took the Lady’s hand and pressed the Jeongjesa into it.

Tears welled up in the Lady’s eyes. She quickly bowed her head to hide her face.

“Your Highness….”

“Please visit the Ducal Palace often. The air here will be good for you, Lady.”

The Lady remained silent for a while with her head bowed. Her shoulders trembled slightly.

“Your Highness, thank you so much. If I had known you would treat me so warmly….”

“It’s fine.”

I got up from my seat and returned to my original place.

The ladies’ conversation continued heatedly. Stories about domains, children, and above all, about Jeongjesa.

Sunlight poured in through the window. The snow-covered landscape sparkled. The faint sound of hunting dogs barking could be heard in the distance. The hunt seemed to still be in full swing.

* * *

The afternoon sunlight began to slant. The teacups were emptying, and the refreshment plates were nearly bare. The ladies began to rise from their seats one by one.

“Shall we go rest for a bit?”

“Yes, let’s. We should rest before the evening banquet.”

“I’m looking forward to tonight’s banquet. I wonder who won.”

The atmosphere had completely changed from the beginning. The stiff and tense expressions had disappeared, replaced by comfortable laughter. The Jeongjesa I had shown earlier seemed to have had a significant effect.

“I should also get some fresh air for a moment.”

As I was about to leave the tent, Countess Harper was getting up with the support of her maid. She looked better than before.

“Lady, can you stand now?”

“Yes, Your Highness. I was also thinking of getting some fresh air outside. It felt a bit stuffy being inside all the time.”

“Would you like to go together?”

“…Would that be alright?”

“Of course. I’d actually prefer that.”

We left the tent together.

Outside was refreshing. The cold air seeped into my lungs. The snow-covered landscape sparkled in the sunlight. The faint sound of hunting dogs barking could be heard in the distance.

I walked alongside the Lady. The maid followed behind. Footprints were left in the snow.

That’s when it happened.

A chill.

My spine went cold.

The air suddenly changed. The air that had been clear and refreshing became murky. It felt as if something invisible was strangling my throat.

‘…?’

This was strange. I had placed Jeongjesa everywhere. There was no way I should be feeling this.

“Ugh…”

I heard a groan from beside me.

When I turned, the Countess was clutching her chest. Her face had turned deathly pale. The face that had looked comfortable just moments ago was instantly contorted with pain.

“Lady?!”

Instead of an answer, blood poured from the Lady’s mouth.

It was hemoptysis.

The vivid red splattered on the white snow. The Lady fell to her knees on the spot. The maid screamed.

“My Lady! My Lady!”

“Cough, cough…”

The Lady gasped roughly. Her hand clutching her chest trembled violently. Blood continued to flow out. The red stain on the snow grew larger and larger.

‘Her mana poisoning symptoms have rapidly worsened.’

But why? She was getting better thanks to the Jeongjesa’s effect?

I hurriedly looked around.

And I saw it.

From somewhere beyond the forest at the outskirts of the Ducal Palace, dark energy was rising. As if the ground had been punctured. Through that gap, mana was pouring out like mad. It shot up into the sky like black smoke before spreading in all directions. Writhing as if it were alive.

‘That’s…’

My heart sank.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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